Choosing Your Golf Clubs

Your golf clubs can really make a difference in how well you play the game of golf.  New advancements in golf club technologies make lighter, bigger, and better golf clubs available to the experienced as well as inexperienced golfer. 

How do you know what to look for in golf clubs? For beginners, you will likely have only drivers, wedges, putters and irons in your golf bag. Beginners will need to use the proper type of club to speed up the learning process. Each different type of club is designed to help with swing speed and to correct faults to improve your game – and your score.Always consider the shaft material, size, and style. Steel is a less expensive material. Steel club shafts last longer than other shaft types. Steel shafts do not flex as much, and give you more control through fast swings. If you choose a graphite shaft, it will be lighter than steel but will be more costly. This club type allows for greater distance, or for slower swings.   Most golf clubs are available with both steel and graphite shafts. Not only are graphite shafts lighter and easier to handle, but the are also more forgiving.  They absorb vibration and allow for a much better feeling shot.  Plus, you will pick up some distance because the speed of the swing will be greater due to the lighter materials.

Flex, or bend are the terms that refer to the flexibility of a shaft. Greater swing control is aided by less bend in the shaft. Beginning golfers, and those with weaker swings will use a more flexible shaft to improve swing speed. The average swing speed is from 65 miles per hour for the beginner up to over 100 miles per hour for powerful swingers.
When it comes to selecting a golf club driver, especially as a beginner, you will probably want one with a head made out of titanium.  Titanium is stronger, denser, and lighter than steel so the club head can be made larger with the same amount of materials.  The advantage to having a large head driver is there is a larger “sweet spot” giving you more area to hit the ball with.  With this type of golf club head, the club will be much more forgiving if you miss hit the ball or have a bad shot.

The goal when buying golf clubs should be to own the best golf clubs you can afford, whether they are name brands, used, or a reproduction of one of the name brands.